The Stellenbosch Municipality has finalised a development framework for the Adam Tas Corridor project, and the community is encouraged to provide their input on the framework’s final draft.
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson of Stellenbosch Municipality who spoke to MatieMedia via email correspondence.
The municipality provided three open days for residents and landowners to comment on the final draft of the Adam Tas Corridor’s (ATC) Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF), said Grobbelaar. These open days were 25 May, 1 June and 8 June.
Pictured: Bernabé de la Bat, the municipality’s manager of spatial planning, heritage and environment. “The [Adam Tas Corridor Local Spatial Development Framework] is a very simple thing; it’s the municipality’s way to address the problems of the past. We aspire to create an integrated and inclusive community,” said De la Bat. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
The framework guides policy, development parameters for land use planning and decision-making on land use applications, said Grobbelaar.
Public participation
After being approved by council as a document ready to undergo public participation on 26 April, residents and landowners were able to provide input on the draft framework, said Bernabé de la Bat, the municipality’s spatial planning, heritage and environment manager. The response of the public has been positive thus far, claimed De la Bat.
Although the open days have concluded, residents can still email their comments until 6 July, said De la Bat.
Public participation and response to the Adam Tas Corridor project have been positive thus far, claimed Bernabé de la Bat, the municipality’s manager of spatial planning, heritage and environment. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
The “catalytic” Adam Tas Corridor
Forming the western edge of Stellenbosch, the ATC stretches along the R310 and R44 near Papegaaiberg, Kayamandi and Cloetesville, and was “identified as a catalytic project” in 2019, said Grobbelaar.
The divisive nature of the R44 and the railway line has caused the ATC to have little integration with the rest of Stellenbosch, explained Grobbelaar, adding that the municipality wishes to cross those barriers.
The Adam Tas Corridor is located along the R310 and R44, forming a part of the western edge of Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Sourced/Stellenbosch Municipality
The LSDF sets out the plan to create a large urban corridor along the railways and main transport route through town, according to Christoff Pauw, programme manager of Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), a partner of the ATC project.
An inclusive and integrative community
“It is [an] inclusive development, the municipality wants to give opportunities and access to more affordable housing. The [average] blue collar worker should be able to access housing in the area,” claimed De la Bat.
Despite the municipality’s claim to create an “inclusive and integrative” community, there are some reservations about the development.
“Why not make land available and develop housing for the people of Kayamandi [and] why not improve [their] infrastructure?” said Annelize van Wyk, a Stellenbosch community member.
Van Wyk claimed that the town’s existing issues, such as parking, roads, water and sanitation are not adequately addressed, yet the municipality continues to pass new developments.
The Stellenbosch Municipality allowed for public comment on the Adam Tas Corridor Local Spatial Development Framework. Residents were encouraged to discuss their concerns with municipal officers and consultants. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
The project’s start depends on the input received during this period, said De la Bat, adding that the development is estimated to take between 30 and 50 years.
Developments, such as the bridging between Bergkelder and Merriman Avenue, are being put in place in the coming months with the current period of public comment on the LSDF, said Pauw.